Zip's Top 10 BBQ Tips

The most important thing is always to stay safe and keep others around you safe, so before you start your barbecue make sure you have read our summer safety advice.  Once you know all you need to stay safe - you can focus on the fun part and our tips will help you have your own perfect  barbecue party!

Email us your tips and advice and we will include all the best ones on the site.

1.    Plan ahead

As the weather is so unpredictable, be prepared for an impromptu BBQ - always keep a stock of Zip charcoal or briquettes and Zip wrapped BBQ firelighters (stored in dry place away from heat sources). 

2.    Keep it Clean

Clean your BBQ before and after use (especially if it is kept outside).  Use Zip BBQ cleaner for intensive cleaning and keep a wire grill brush on hand to clean when you are BBQing (it is easier to do this when the grill is hot)

Heat the grill racks up straight away to burn away any excess grease.

3.    Don't rush in

Light the BBQ well in advance, and wait until the charcoal is glowing red with a powdery grey surface before you start to cook (usually 20-30 minutes).

The food will stick when you first place it on the grill, however will become looser when the food has begun to cook - so give it a couple of minutes before trying to move it.

4.    Keep control

Every fire you make will be different.  Make sure that you pay attention at all times to the fire and the food  you are cooking - and never desert your post!

Food will cook best over glowing embers, so have a spray bottle of water handy to extinguish any flames as they may appear.

5. Know your tools

Use the right utensils. Long-handed tools and long barbecue mitts protect you from the heat.

Use tongs or turners to turn your food on the barbecue, and save the forks for lifting the food off, once ready. (A fork pierces the food, and you would lose flavourful juices during cooking.)

Never use a fork to turn meat. If you prick the meat, juices will escape and it will dry out.

If you are unsure about when food is ready when BBQing, a meat thermometer will help determine whether the food is cooked.

6.    Make the most of your BBQ

Only cover the barbecue if you are looking to recreate the effect of a conventional oven, e.g. to cook a whole chicken or large joints of meat. Every time you lift the lid, add extra cooking time!

Not all foods should be cooked over the same heat. To increase heat, simply push the embers closer together and pile up. To decrease heat, gently spread the embers apart.

Use the vents in your BBQ to help adjust the heat. Open the vents to make the BBQ hotter, and close them to lower the heat.

Your BBQ can be used for more things than just a grill! It is a source of heat just like any other cooker - why not use saucepans, frying pans and even a wok on top of the grill rack.

7.    Use additional flavours

Make most of marinades or add herbs/woodchips  to coals to add natural flavours. Try wetting sprigs of Rosemary to add subtle flavour to lamb or sprigs bay for pork.  

You'll get better results from marinades if you marinade slowly in a refrigerator (i.e. overnight).

As a guide, have 2 or 3 main ingredients and then options for vegetarians and children - for BBQ inspiration see our "perfect menu" page.

8.   Give it a rest

Always allow meat to rest after cooking (suggest using a thermometer to check that it is cooked), cover in foil and allow to rest for a few minutes to get the juiciest results.

9.   Many hands

BBQing is fun and everybody wants to help! Take advantage of helpers - ask them to carry bowls and food from kitchen to garden. It is always best to have one main BBQer.

But, make sure you keep children and animals well away from the BBQing area.

10. Most importantly - Enjoy it!!